Wachirathan FallsAbout Wachirathan Falls
Wachirathan Falls is a prominent waterfall within Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. It lies on the Mae Klang River and is one of several major cascades protected inside the national park.
The fall is a powerful, multi-tiered cascade that can be seen from a parking area and a short stair-linked viewpoint, making it a popular stop for visitors traveling the park road. The site is often visited in combination with other nearby park attractions rather than as a long standalone trek.
As a natural feature inside Doi Inthanon National Park it is part of the protected landscape of Thailand’s highest mountain area and is accessed via the park road linking the main trailheads and visitor facilities.
The waterfall is located within Doi Inthanon National Park, roughly 65-75 km southwest of Chiang Mai city, along the route toward the mountain’s summit.
- Roadside access: A roadside viewing platform and short stairway allow easy access to the main viewpoint, making it a quick stop on the park route.
Nearby Attractions to Wachirathan Falls
Best Time to Visit Wachirathan Falls
Best visited in the cool, dry season for accessibility and comfortable temperatures; monsoon months mean dramatic flow but wet trails.
Weather & Climate near Wachirathan Falls
Wachirathan Falls's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 11°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1057 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 11° - 26° | 18° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 0.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 12° - 29° | 21° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 0.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Ideal | 16° - 32° | 24° | 21 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 1.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 19° - 33° | 26° | 58 mm | some cloud | 53% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Good | 20° - 30° | 25° | 168 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 113 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| July | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 137 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.0h |
| August | Good | 20° - 27° | 24° | 191 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.6h |
| September | Good | 20° - 27° | 23° | 179 mm | overcast | 87% | 0.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 122 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 44 mm | some cloud | 80% | 1.0 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 12° - 25° | 18° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 1.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Wachirathan Falls
Wachirathan is about 20-30 minutes’ drive from Chom Thong town and roughly 1-1.5 hours from Chiang Mai city by car. Public songthaews and private tours to Doi Inthanon typically include a stop at the falls.
Tips for Visiting Wachirathan Falls
- Visit early morning to avoid buses of tourists and to catch the water at its loudest and most dramatic.
- Wear shoes with good grip - the rocks around the falls are constantly wet and slippery.
- Combine with other Doi Inthanon sites (King and Queen Pagodas) to make the drive worthwhile.